Craig Alexander Commits To Ironman Melbourne

Three-time Ironman world champion Craig Alexander has announced he will defend his title at the 2013 Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship on March 24, 2013, signaling that he may be looking to return to the 2013 Ironman World Championship.

Alexander posted his first-ever sub-eight hour (7:57:44) Ironman time to claim victory last year from 10-time Ironman New Zealand champion Cameron Brown. He went on to finish second at the 2012 Ironman 70.3 World Championship and a disappointing 12th at the 2012 Ironman World Championship.

Alexander has chosen to start his 2013 season at home, allowing time to be with family, as he, and wife Neri prepare for the birth of their third child in March.

“I feel it is always important to come back to a race and try and defend, particularly when that race is in your home country and has the prestige of being a regional championship,” Alexander said in a press release about his decision to race. “Outside of Kona, Ironman Melbourne is one of the marquee races in our sport and it is fitting that it takes place in such a great sporting city.”

After last year’s Ironman World Championship, Alexander was unsure if he would come back to race in Kona. The announcement that he’s racing Melbourne suggests that he may be considering a return to the Kona start line. Because he’s won within the past five years, Alexander will simply need to cross the finish line in Melbourne to earn a spot on the Ironman World Championship start line.

VIDEO: Craig Alexander Reflects On Kona 2012 And Looks Ahead